EULOGY 


ON  THE  DEATH    OF 


CAPT,  ABRAM  YAN  OLINDA, 


WHO  frELL    AT 

THE  BATTLE  OF  01IAPULT EPEC, 

.SEPTEMBER  13,    1847. 

DELIVERED    IN   THE 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  ALBANY, 
ON   FRIDAY,   JUI.Y   T,   1848, 

BY  COL.  JOHN.SHARTS. 


ALBANY: 
PRINTED  BY  JOEL  MUNSELL. 

1848. 


EULOGY 


ON  THE  DEATH    OF 


CAPT,  ABRAM  VAN  OLINDA, 


WHO    FELL   AT 

THE  BATTLE  OF  CHAPULTEPEC, 

SEPTEMBER  13,   1847. 

DELIVERED    IN   THB 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  ALBANY, 
ON    FRIDAY,   JUL.Y   T,   1848, 

BY  COL.  JOHN  SHARTS. 


ALBANY: 

PRINTED  BY  JOEL  MUNSELL. 
1848. 


E~4-o3 

1 


EULOGY. 


His  noble  spirit  has  taken  its  flight 

To  unknown  realms  away.    Will  not  his 

Name  be  fondly  cherished  ever? 

His  memory  live — his  deeds  of  valor  too? 

His  precious  relics  here  await  the  rite 

Of  final  sepulture.    And  we  his  friends, 

His  relatives  and  all,  have  come  up 

Hither,  in  melancholy  mood, 

To  mingle  tears  and  solemn  sighs, 

In  grief,  for  our  own  champion  slain ! 

On  three  several  occasions,  within  a  space  of 
time  less  than  three-quarters  of  a  century,  have  the 
American  people  been  compelled  to  resort  to  the 
disagreeable  necessity  of  arms,  those  ultimate  arbi 
trators  in  national  disputes.  On  each  occasion  we 
have  been  invincible  and  victorious,  and  humbled 
our  enemies  into  acknowledgments  of  national  re 
spect.  The  invasion  of  Mexico,  by  authority  of  the 
American  government,  produced  the  most  astonish 
ing  and  overshadowing  sensations  throughout  the 
civilized  globe.  The  annals  of  no  nation  contain 
records  of  equal  achievements.  The  conquest  of 
Mexico,  nearly  three  centuries  and  a  half  ago,  by- 
Ferdinand  Cortez,  was  boasted  of  by  the  Spanish 


nation,  as  one  of  the  greatest  military  achievements 
on  record.  Hannibal,  the  great  Carthagenian  gene 
ral,  was  idolized  and  worshipped  for  reducing  Spain 
to  a  state  of  subjugation,  and  in  conceiving  the  bold 
and  original  idea  of  crossing  the  hitherto  impene 
trable  Alps,  and  penetrating  Italy  to  the  very  gates 
of  Rome.  The  praises  of  centuries,  and  ages  and 
years,  have  been  awarded  to  Ajax,  Ulysses  and 
Agamemnon  of  ancient  Greece  —  Tarquin,  Brutus, 
Ca3sar  and  Pompey  of  Rome  —  Nelson,  Abercrom- 
bie  and  Marlborough  of  England — Napoleon,  Murat 
and  Ney  of  France,  for  mighty  deeds  of  war.  The 
pages  of  history  are  'profuse  with  encomiums  of 
praise,  bestowed  upon  the  above  named  heroes,  for 
their  mighty  skill  and  wonderful  success  in  arms. 
But  when  the  impartial  historian  shall  assume  the 
duty  of  recording  the  events  connected  with  the  con 
quest  of  Mexico,  in  1846-7,  he  will  find  material  for 
his  pen,  greatly  surpassing  in  wonder,  more  extrava 
gant  in  amazement,  and  more  brilliant  in  execution, 
than  is  exhibited  on  any  other  record  extant;  he  will 
portray  with  glowing  and  brilliant  colors  the  con 
duct  of  our  soldiery  in  the  bannered  field,  amid  the 
scenes  of  stirring  strife,  and  feats  of  daring  prowess 
which  crowned  our  arms  with  a  splendid  blazon  of 
glory,  and  won  for  their  authors  an  enshrinernent 
in  the  pantheon  of  military  history.  The  mighty 
deeds  of  American  valor  will  be  inscribed  in  cha 
racters  of  thrilling  patriotism  on  pages  of  everlasting 
light.  It  is  immaterial  whether  the  skill,  strategy 
or  bravery  of  Scott,  Taylor,  Butler,  Worth,  Wool, 


Quitman  or  Shields,  are  reserved  and  selected  for 
the  comparison,  or  the  invincible,  indomitable 
daring  of  their  officers  and  men.  Palo  Alto,  Mon 
terey,  Buena  Vista,  Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Gordo,  Cha- 
pultepec,  and  the  Capital,  will  occupy  brighter  pages 
in  history  than  the  invasion  of  England  by  Julius 
Ca3sar,  the  conquest  of  Spain  by  Hannibal  or  Napo 
leon,  or  the  great  victory  at  Waterloo  by  Welling 
ton.  Every  officer  and  soldier  of  our  gallant  army 
can  truly  exclaim,  as  did  Julius  Caesar,  after  con 
quering  Pharnaces,  at  the  great  battle  of  Zela — "I 
came,  I  saw,  I  conquered." 

The  attack  of  the  Mexicans  upon  the  commands 
of  Captains  Thornton  and  Hardee,  on  the  24th  of 
April,  1846,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
about  fifty  miles  above  Fort  Brown,  in  which  six 
teen  Americans  were  killed  or  wounded,  and  the 
residue,  consisting  of  sixty-three  men,  were  cap 
tured  by  the  Mexicans,  and  conveyed  in  triumph 
to  their  capital,  caused  the  first  American  blood  to 
flow.  This  act  was  considered  by  our  constituted 
authorities,  as  a  hostile  invasion  of  our  soil.  That 
was  the  first  commencement  of  hostilities.  Gene 
ral  Taylor,  then  in  command  at  Corpus  Christi,  im 
mediately  communicated  the  fact  of  that  high 
handed  transaction  to  the  authorities  at  Washing 
ton.  Congress  almost  unanimously  declared,  that 
"war  existed  by  the  act  of  Mexico.''  Then  it  was 
that  the  whole  American  nation  became  aroused ; 
the  sword  that  had  quietly  reposed  in  its  scabbard 
for  more  than  thirty  years,  became  instantaneously 


unsheathed,  and  the  much  loved  banner  with  its 
spangled  stars,  was  unfurled  to  call  the  slumbering 
Sons  of  Freedom  out,  to  avenge  the  blood  of  their 
countrymen,  and  to  preserve  and  maintain  the 
grossly  insulted  honor  of  their  nation. 

The  war  note  was  thus  sounded,  and  however 
unwelcome  its  key,  the  patriots  who  are  always 
ready  to  protect  their  country,  became  at  once 
aroused  with  its  shrill  echo  and  penetrating  reverbe 
rations.  It  was  the  clarion  of  their  own  country 
that  called  them  to  the  protection  of  their  country's 
honor.  It  was  the  thrilling  outcry  of  the  Eagle  of 
America,  which  had  left  its  eyrie  in  the  skies,  to 
arouse  the  dormant  nation  into  life  and  vigorous 
action.  The  chord  thus  magnetized,  vibrated 
throughout  the  entire  Republic,  and  its  pulsation 
reached  every  American  heart. 

Never  in  the  history  of  ancient  or  modern  times, 
has  a  war  been  conducted  with  the  same  unparalleled 
success.  Its  numerous  victories  have  crowned  with 
imperishable  honors,  the  officers  and  men,  and  shed 
a  reflected  glory  on  their  country.  Glorious  was 
the  fate  of  every  hero  who  fell  fighting  his  country's 
battles.  Rich  in  the  gratitude,  and  honored  in  the 
blessings  of  his  countrymen,  his  name  shall  be 
handed  down  to  posterity  as  a  martyr  to  glory  in 
the  cause  of  patriotism.  And  what,  though  the 
loved  voices  of  home  did  not  soothe  his  last  mo 
ments —  the  shout  of  victory  robbed  death's  sum 
mons  of  its  terrors,  and  the  stars  and  stripes  floating 
in  triumph  over  his  head,  robed  the  grim  monster 


himself  in  visions  of  unfading  glory.  What  though 
his  dying  eyes  no  tender  mother  closed ;  what 
though  the  eyes  of  love  wept  no  sympathetic  tears, 
and  the  hand  of  affection  planted  no  violet,  no  wil 
low  to  wave  over  his  cold  bed,  nor  the  place  of  his 
rest  graced  with  floral  offerings;  still  a  nation's 
tears  have  moistened  the  newly  turned  sod  of  his 
grave,  and  great  Nature  herself  decked  it  in  her 
fairest  flowers,  and  showered  upon  it  her  sweetest 
offering,  as  if  enamored  of  the  spot  where  a  hero 
slept.  And  though  that  wilderness  of  sweets  alone 
marks  the  narrow  limits  of  a  soldier's  grave,  his 
epitaph  is  written  on  the  brightly  illuminated  pages 
of  his  country's  history  —  and  his  monument  is 
erected  in  the  memory  of  his  countrymen. 

Great  as  is  the  success  of  the  American  army, 
wonderful  as  it  is  admitted  to  be  —  it  is  not  great 
alone  because  it  has  triumphed  in  every  engage 
ment  with  the  foe.  Great  is  that  army  in  a  thousand 
ways  —  incomparably  great !  Great  in  daring,  in 
action,  and  endurance  ;  great  in  zeal,  discipline  and 
influence. 

Europeans  tell  us  they  have  set  rules  and  regula 
tions  for  every  thing —  "rules  for  every  movement 
• —  rules  for  advancing,  charging,  besieging,  retreat 
ing,  and  for  procuring  supplies.  But  you  Americans 
defy  all  rules,  and  yet  you  triumph.  You  obtain 
provisions  from  places  where  the  enemy  starves; 
you  procure  mules  and  horses  wjiere  your  enemy 
cannot  mount  a  squadron  or  furnish  a  baggage  train 
You.  rush  from  mountain  barrier  into  gorges  and 


defiles,  alike  unchecked  by  walled  cities,  castles 
bristling  with  cannon,  fortresses  made  by  nature 
and  strengthened  by  art,  impassable  swamps  and 
frowning  precipices  —  and  after  overcoming  man 
and  nature,  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  heart  of  the  land, 
you  captured  even  the  almost  inaccessible  capitol 
itself!  All  this  you  have  done,  too,  with  a  mere 
scouting  party.  There  must  be  something  in  this, 
which  we  Europeans  can't  understand !" 

The  fact  is,  there  is  something  in  it  which  they 
do  not  understand.  It  is  this:  Every  man  feels 
himself  equal  to  each  foe  in  the  enemy's  legions, 
and  the  spirit  within  him  inspires  a  confidence  of 
victory.  Our  secret  is  this:  every  American  soldier 
in  an  engagement  is  just  as  much  interested  in  the 
result  as  the  commanding  general  himself,  and  feels 
his  individual  power,  responsibility  and  glory  equally 
at  stake.  If  the  general  becomes  disabled,  the 
colonel  leads  the  charge;  if  the  colonel  is  wounded, 
the  major  or  captain  leads  on  with  no  less  daring; 
if  the  captain  shrinks  from  the  encounter,  the  sub 
ordinates  struggle  with  the  more  desperate  valor; 
and  if  the  last  officer  is  struck  down,  then  each  pri 
vate  will  fight  while  a  drop  of  blood  is  left  in  his 
veins,  or  a  stripe  of  the  American  ensign  is  left  for 
him  to  defend. 

Who  can  predict  the  ultimate  consequences 
which  this  Mexican  war  will  produce  upon  man 
kind  ?  Who  wilt  venture  to  measure  the  extent  of 
its  influence  ?  Who  is  there  possessed  of  foresight 
and  sagacity  sufficient  to  penetrate  with  his  imagi- 


nation,  into  the  recesses  of  futurity,  and  estimate  its 
consequences  upon  unborn  generations  ?  Has  any 
important  result  already  been  accomplished  ?  Has 
the  glory  of  the  contest  of  freemen  in  this  war,  had 
any  influence  in  dethroning  the  French  monarch  on 
the  anniversary  of  the  day  which  Americans  have 
consecrated  to  the  memory  of  the  immortal  WASH 
INGTON?  Why  are  thrones  tottering  in  Europe? 
Why  is  the  whole  world  in  a  state  of  excitement 
even  to  fermentation?  What  is  producing  the 
mighty  upheaving  of  empires  in  Austria,  Italy,  Po 
land,  Prussia  and  Germany?  What  spirit  stirs  up 
the  great  masses  in  those  countries,  in  one  tremen 
dous  effort  to  assert  the  rights  of  man  ?  What  pro 
duces  the  convulsions  in  Ireland  ?  What  stirs  up 
every  Irish  heart  with  vengeance  and  indignation  ? 
Why  is  it,  that  that  bleeding,  humiliated,  starving, 
dying  nation  is  now  panting,  more  than  ever,  for  a 
national  existence,  for  a  restoration  of  its  nationality, 
for  a  government  among  the  nations  of  the  earth? 
It  is  the  spirit  of  EQUALITY,  FRATERNITY,  LIBERTY  ;  it 
is  the  germination  of  the  seeds  of  the  tree  of  LIBERTY, 
which  the  breeze  of  heaven  has  wafted  o'er  the 
ocean.  The  influence  of  our  institutions  is  extend 
ing  over  the  continent  of  Europe  —  it  is  the  great 
feature  of  the  age  —  and  is  this  moment  spreading 
with  the  force,  power  and  velocity  of  electricity  — 
with  the  rapidity  of  lightning  playing  upon  rnagic 
wires.  It  is  the  arraignment  of  despotism  before 
the  great  tribunal  of  humanity,  summoned  to  give 
an  account  to  the  people  of  its  stern  stewardship 
2 


10 

over  the  institutions  of  the  old  world,  during  the 
last  fifteen  centuries.  This  spirit  will  extend  itself 
until  the  nations  of  the  earth  shall  better  understand 
their  common  destiny  and  their  rights;  when  they 
shall  constitute  a  common  unity,  a  republic  of  bro 
thers  and  of  friends — forming  the  true  government 
of  the  human  race. 

The  New  York  Regiment  is  a  corps  of  volunteers 
organized  under  a  law  of  Congress  of  May  13,  1846. 
More  than  six  months  were  they  reserved  as  minute 
men.  When  in  December  following,  the  order 
came  for  the  regiment  to  rendezvous  for  active  duty, 
they  promptly  embarked  for  the  scene  of  action, 
with  a  full  complement  of  rank  and  file.  They  were 
not  inured  to  privation  —  the  weary  watch  —  the 
forced  march  —  the  stinted  rations.  They  were  not 
drilled  to  the  erect  position  —  the  firm,  steady, 
measured  step— -the  quick  eye,  the  calm  and  col 
lected  mien  —  the  upright  military  bearing — nor  the 
gravity  and  steadiness  of  regular  veterans.  They 
were  unused  to  wars  alarms;  they  were  strangers  to 
the  tented  field,  to  garrison  duty,  and  to  the  dread 
ful  carnage  of  the  battle-field.  They  were  untutored 
in  the  science  of  arms,  and  unused  to  the  shrill  bu 
gle  note  of  warrior  preparation  for  the  mighty  com 
bat.  They  knew  not 

The  battle  plain,  where  sword,  and  shield,  and  bayonet, 
Flashed  in  the  light  of  mid-day ;  where  the  strength 
Of  serried  hosts  is  shivered,  and  the  grass 
Green  from  the  soil  of  carnage,  waves  above 
The  crush'd  and  mouldering  skeletons ! 


11 

The  volunteers  knew  no  profession  but  that  of 
peace,  and  they  had  always  delighted  in  reposing 
upon  its  flowery  fields  of  happiness,  contentment 
and  joy.  They  delighted  in  the  arts  of  peace,  not 
in  the  deadly  strife  of  arms.  Nay,  with  us,  they 
looked  upon  war  as  among  the  worst  of  evils.  Yet 
they  believed  there  was  a  time  when  tame  submis 
sion  to  multiplied  injuries,  and  ever  increasing 
insults  and  outrages,  must  come  to  an  end;  when 
the  character  of  a  nation,  like  that  of  an  individu 
al,  must  be  vindicated.  They  believed,  too,  that 
Mexico  had  wronged  us  much,  and  for  which  satis 
faction  was  about  to  be  taken.  Longer  forbearance 
from  such  a  people  could  only  have  invited  indig 
nity,  and  insured  the  contempt  of  the  other  nations 
of  the  earth.  It  was  thus  that  the  patriots  of  the 
First  Regiment  of  New  York  Volunteers  reasoned 
with  others  and  among  themselves;  it  was  thus 
that  friends,  brothers,  sons,  felt ;  and  such  the  im 
pulses  that  impelled  them  onward.  They  loved 
our  great  Republic ;  they  regarded  it  as  the  fairest 
column  ever  erected  by  the  hand  of  man  —  as  the 
beacon  light  of  the  world  ;  and  they  firmly  resolved 
to  protect  it  in  its  high  mission  to  regenerate  the 
world,  though  it  carried  them  through  the  red 
glare  of  battle  down  to  death !  Impulses,  sacred, 
lofty  and  patriotic  as  these,  induced  their  enrolment 
under  the  folds  of  our  own  star-spangled  banner. 
No  less  or  meaner  motive  could  have  torn  them 
from  their  homes,  their  loved  families  and  their  ar 
dent  friends.  They  left  freemen's  home  to  do  battle 


12 

in  Freedom's  glorious  cause.  They  bore  away  with 
them,  upon  their  banner,  the  inspiring  EXCELSIOR,  the 
ESCUTCHEON  of  New  York.  They  planted  it  upon  the 
battlements  of  the  Mexican  capital,  not  only  pure, 
brilliant  and  unsullied,  but  with  fresh  deeds  of  glory 
inscribed  with  shining  characters  upon  its  silken 
folds.  It  remained  proudly  floating  in  the  fresh 
breeze  of  the  conquered  empire,  until  lowered  with 
distinguished  glory,  by  the  only  order  which  could 
ever  be  obeyed — the  injunctions  of  THE  OLIVE  BRANCH 
OF  PEACE. 

There  is  a  vast  difference  between  volunteers  and 
regulars,  in  their  relation  to  the  government.  The 
latter  pursue  the  science  of  war  as  a  profession  ; 
their  whole  lives  are  devoted  to  the  camp,  and  by 
their  prowess,  mount  the  ladder  of  fame,  and  by 
continued  deeds  of  chivalry,  many  advance  near  to 
and  succeed  in  mounting  its  topmost  round.  Not 
so  with  volunteers.  They  only  enlist  in  the  hour 
of  their  country's  peril,  at  the  call  of  duty,  and  when 
their  services  are  actually  needed.  When  the 
emergency  becomes  quieted,  the  honor  of  the  na 
tion  protected  and  vindicated,  then  the  survivors 
return  to  the  bosom  of  their  homes,  and  resume 
their  usual  peaceful  avocations,  receiving  only  their 
country's  gratitude  and  praise. 

It  is  asserted  by  writers  in  aristocratic  govern 
ments,  that  standing  armies  of  regulars  are  indis 
pensable  in  wars  of  invasion.  Has  not  the  American 
army  in  Mexico  completely  eradicated  that  fallacy  ? 
Have  not  the  invaders  been  triumphantly  success 
ful?  We  have  shown,  that  by  a  proper  discipline, 


13 

inspired  with  patriotism,  private  citizens  can  very 
readily  be  transformed  into  veteran  soldiers.  We 
have  shown,  also,  that  this  class  of  soldiers  possess 
equal  valor,  courage  and  fortitude,  with  more  ex 
perienced  regulars.  The  glorious  results  at  Buena 
Vista,  where  our  entire  force  was  mostly  volunteers, 
fully  tests  the  correctness  of  this  assertion.  The 
wonderful  exploits  of  Col.  Doniphan,  with  his  regi 
ment  of  Missouri  volunteers  in  New  Mexico,  is  an 
evidence  how  successfully  dangers  can  be  overcome 
—  how  mountains,  rivers,  deserts,  defiles,  can  be 
encountered  and  passed,  by  resolute  American 
citizen  soldiery,  determined  on  success.  In  con 
nexion  with  the  regular  army,  the  volunteers  have 
been  exposed  to  the  same  perils,  encountered  the 
same  hardships,  underwent  all  the  vicissitudes  of  a 
soldier's  life,  except  defeat,  and  together  triumphed 
on  many  a  sharp  contested  battle  plain. 

It  was  natural,  that  in  our  anxiety  to  learn  intel 
ligence  from  the  army,  we  desired  particularly  to 
hear  from  the  New  York  regiment,  from  our  Albany 
company.  It  was  not  altogether  because  many  of 
our  friends  and  intimate  associates  were  attached 
to  this  portion  of  the  army,  that  we  so  eagerly 
panted  for  information;  but  it  was  also  on  account 
of  the  fact,  that  the  honor,  the  chivalry,  the  military 
character  of  the  Empire  state,  were  intrusted  to  the 
care  of  this  regiment,  the  only  one  on  active  duty 
in  old  Mexico,  from  this  state.  At  length,  the 
information  arrived,  that  a  succession  of  hard  fought 
battles  carried  our  army  into  the  city  of  the  Mon- 


14 

tezumas ;  and  it  was  with  the  utmost  gratification, 
that  the  information  thus  imparted,  gave  us  the 
assurance,  that  the  foremost  in  the  roar  of  battle, 
the  bravest  in  the  conflicts,  and  among  the  most 
conspicuous  in  the  dreadful  contests  and  glorious 
victories,  was  the  regiment  from  this  state,  and  the 
company  from  this  city.  We  exulted  in  the  fact, 
that  the  Empire  sons  had  met  the  Mexican  hosts, 
with  undaunted  hearts  and  potent  hands.  Their 
enemies,  at  every  step,  were  scattered  over  every 
crimsoned  field ;  they  faltered  not  an  instant,  but 
on  every  occasion,  met  the  enemy  with  a  wall  of 
iron  resolution,  showers  of  leaden  hail,  and  an  impen 
etrable  front  of  bristling  bayonets.  The  Albany 
company,  with  its  three  Albany  officers,  were  con 
spicuous  in  every  engagement,  from  the  gulf  to  the 
capital.  The  whole  valley  contains  indubitable 
evidences  of  their  valor.  Every  man  rushed  with 
impetuous  zeal  upon  the  enemy;  penetrated  his 
lines,  broke  his  ranks,  scaled  his  fortifications,  defy 
ing  the  leaden  ball,  the  iron  grape,  or  bayonet's 
charge.  They  leaped  with  agility  from  bastion  to 
parapet,  scattering  the  astonished  Mexicans  amid 
the  smoking  ruins  of  their  supposed  impenetrable 
barriers  and  castles.  They  feared  not 

"  The  justling  rocks  where  fierce  Charybdis  raves, 
And  howling  Scylla  whirls  her  thundrous  waves !" 

Previous  to  their  arrival  at  the  gates  of  the  capi 
tal,  the  regiment  became  materially  crippled  and 
reduced,  by  the  loss  of  several  officers  and  men. 
BURNETT,  badly  wounded  —  BAXTER,  VAN  OLINDA, 


15 

CHANDLER,  GALLAGHER,  weltering  in  their  blood  — 
still,  with  a  spirit  of  indomitable  daring,  led  by  the 
noble  BURNHAM,  onward  and  forward  the  gallant 
remnant  pressed,  with  bayonets  charged,  until  the 
obdurate  foe,  in  quadrupled  numbers,  were  repulsed, 
the  last  great  victory  triumphantly  achieved,  and 
the  stars  and  stripes  of  their  own  state  hoisted  the 
first,  amid  cheers,  huzzas  and  exultations,  upon  the 
tower  of  the  Mexican  capitol. 

Let  honor  be  extended  to  the  survivors  of  that 
noble  band;  they  have  well  earned  our  warmest 
applause.  But  to  the  fallen,  the  lamented  dead, 
what  homage  shall  we  pay  ?  All  gratitude  to  their 
memory!  Yet  how  feebly  can  the  most  glowing 
fancy,  the  most  eloquent  tongue,  and  the  most  pro 
found  intellect  portray  their  heroic  services.  The 
silent  sympathies  of  the  heart  are  alone  capable  of 
accomplishing  such  a  deserving,  befitting  eulogy. 

This  war  has  placed  the  Albany  company,  high 
on  the  list  of  heroes.  From  the  impregnable  battle 
ments  of  Vera  Cruz,  all  along  the  hard  fought  plains, 
horrid  ravines,  and  mountainous  passes  to  the  gates 
of  the  great  capital,  the  same  dazzling  success  has 
marked  the  career  of  this  band  of  veterans.  "Fate 
seems  to  have  delighted  in  surrounding  them  with 
dangers,"  in  exciting  the  mournful  forebodings 
and  sympathetic  fears  of  their  friends  at  home,  that 
the  meteor  of  their  glory  might  dispel  the  darkness 
of  despondency,  and  dry  up  by  its  brilliancy,  the 
tears  of  the  afflicted  and  bereaved.  What  shall  I 
say  of  our  VAN  OLINDA  ?  Shall  we  seek  him  amidst 


16 

the  bristling  bayonets,  waving  high  the  sword  which 
he  had  vowed  never  should  be  disgraced,  the  heroic 
leader  of  his  gallant  company,  with  the  undaunted 
BURNETT  and  BAXTER,  arid  the  valorous  spirits  of  our 
FARNSWORTH,  GRIFFIN  and  BURGESS  ?  In  every  place 
he  showed  himself  high  above  all  praise  of  mine. 
His  laurels  shall  be  twined  with  those  of  his  depart 
ed  comrades,  and  those  wreaths  of  glories,  shall  be 
the  proudest  boasts  of  their  surviving  friends,  till 
memory  perishes,  and  gratitude  is  no  more.  Wher 
ever  worth  is  appreciated,  and  where  glory  is  known, 
such  deeds  shall  be  wafted  on  the  breath  of  fame, 
like  flower  seeds  on  the  winds  of  Heaven.  There 
can  be  found  no  lustre  more  pure,  nor  more  deserv- 
ingly  earned,  than  that  which  radiates  around  the 
names  of  the  gallant  heroes,  who  fought  and  con 
quered  with  VAN  OLINDA. 

But  the  mission  of  the  sword  is  ended;  it  is  again 
encased  within  its  scabbard ;  the  panoply  of  war  is 
laid  aside;  PEACE  —  welcome,  delightful  PEACE  —  is 
again  restored.  Our  armies  are  returning  from  the 
unnatural  strife,  and  resuming  their  ordinary  avo 
cations  in  peaceful  life. 

Their  warrior  "  brows  bound  with  victorious  wreaths : " 
Their  "  bruised  arms  hung  up  for  monuments. " 

May  another  occasion  never  arrive,  when  wars  and 
the  dreadful  tumults  thereof,  shall  be  heard  in  this 
republic.  Let  the  destiny  which  we  are  commis 
sioned  to  fulfil,  be  one  of  good  will  to  all  men,  ene 
mies  to  none. 

The  occasion  of  our  present  gathering,  my  friends, 


17 

is  one  to  us  of  no  common  occurrence.  The  cere 
monies  of  this  day  are  of  no  ordinary  nature.  They 
are  of  the  most  solemn  and  imposing  character. 
This  vast  assemblage  of  the  people,  is  a  spontane 
ous  outpouring  of  heartfelt  sorrow.  It  is  a  willing 
tribute  of  unadulterated  grief,  and  unalloyed  sadness. 
The  multitudes  who  have  come  up  hither  this  day, 
are  anxious  to  mingle  their  heavings  of  heart  and 
tears  together,  in  token  of  their  deep  affliction.  The 
solemn,  mournful  and  imposing  funeral  procession, 
the  muffled  drum,  the  sabled  furled  banner,  the  slow 
and  measured  march  of  his  military  associates  —  the 
serious  and  melancholy  air  and  appearance  of  the 
Brotherly  Order,  of  which  he  was  also  an  honorable 
member  in  fraternal  affection,  in  their  impressive 
habiliments  and  regalia  —  all  tend  to  render  this 
occasion  one  of  interest,  instruction  and  reverence. 
The  precious  remains  of  one  now  lies  before  us, 
who  only  a  few  short  months  since,  possessed  a 
spirit  as  buoyant,  a  heart  as  guileless,  a  mind  as 
patriotic,  a  hand  as  devoted,  as  any  other  man's. 
There  lies  the  decaying  tabernacle,  which  encased 
as  noble  a  spirit  as  ever  winged  its  flight  to  the 
mansions  of  eternity.  Within  that  enclosure  is  con 
tained  the  ashes  of  a  patriot,  a  hero,  and  a  man. 
As  yesterday  only,  the  precious  relics  which  now  lie 
inanimate  and  unconscious  before  us,  possessed  life, 
spirit,  vigor,  health,  and  elasticity;  to-day,  they  are 
to  be  deposited  in  the  bosom  of  their  mother  earth! 
And  we,  the  creatures  of  an  hour,  have  congregated 
here  to  day,  to  pay  the  last  sad  honors  to  departed 
3 


18 

worth,  which  to-rnorrow  it  will  be  required  to  be 
rendered  unto  us. 

It  is  manifestly  appropriate,  on  this  solemn  occa 
sion,  that  I  should  speak  somewhat  concerning  him, 
whilst  he  was  in  a  state  of  existence  amongst  us. 
Captain  VAN  OLINDA,  in  early  life,  enroled  himself 
a  private,  under  Captain  STRAIN,  in  the  Albany  Re 
publican  Artillery.  He  rapidly  rose  in  distinction 
and  regular  promotion,  and  held  the  second  office 
in  that  patriotic  corps,  when  the  Mexican  war  com 
menced.  He  immediately  volunteered  to  aid  his 
country,  when  the  shrill  clarion  resounded  through 
the  nation.  No  sooner  had  the  requisition  from 
government,  calling  for  troops  to  aid  in  the  prose 
cution  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  been  received  by 
the  executive  of  New  York,  than  VAN  OLINDA,  at 
the  head  of  eighty  devoted  patriots,  enroled  him 
self  for  instant  service,  and  promptly  reported  for 
active  duty.  He  did  not  hesitate  an  instant  —  he 
made  no  abstract  inquiries  —  he  scrutinized  not 
the  justice  of  the  war  —  he  had  no  time  to  deter 
mine  by  mathematical  demonstration,  what  the 
probable  cost  of  the  war  might  be,  in  life  or  trea 
sure.  He  only  knew  that  his  country  called  for 
immediate  assistance,  and  he  most  nobly  obeyed 
her  summons,  marched  to  the  field  of  most  immi 
nent  danger,  breasting  himself  in  defence  of  his 
country's  honor. 

The  objects  which  actuate  gallant  spirits,  are  not 
always  rightly  estimated.  What  was  it  that  in 
duced  our  departed  friend  to  enter  the  service  of 


19 

his  country  ?  Was  it  a  desire  to  satiate  a  reckless 
passion  for  the  din  of  battle  and  the  field  of  mortal 
carnage?  Certainly  not.  Within  his  breast  quietly 
reposed  a  heart  as  free  from  tumult  as  any  other 
mortal  possessed.  Within  his  head  was  a  mind  as 
quiet,  gentle,  inoffensive  and  undisturbed  as  the 
innocent  lamb.  Retiring,  unassuming*  modest  and 
unobtrusive  in  his  nature  and  disposition  —  kind, 
affectionate,  frank  and  friendly  in  his  demeanor  — 
he  was  never  regarded  in  any  other  light,  than  a 
man  more  eminently  adapted  to  adorn  and  bless 
domestic  life,  than  one  of  commotion,  carnage  and 
war.  What  then  induced  him  to  enter  the  army? 
What  impelled  him  to  leave  behind  an  affectionate 
wife,  and  an  infant  child,  father,  mother,  sisters, 
brothers,  and  friends?  Why  did  he  abandon  a  life 
of  endearing  happines,  ease  and  comfort,  and  sub 
ject  himself  voluntarily  and  enthusiastically,  to  the 
dangers  of  the  mountainous  billows  of  the  raging 
gulf,  the  imminent  perils  of  an  unhealthy  climate, 
and  the  still  greater  impending  horrors  of  the  battle 
field?  It  was  that  resistless  love  of  country  —  that 
indescribable  patriotic  ardor,  which  none  but  the 
American  heart  can  feel.  It  was  the  identical  electric 
spark  which  caused  two  hundred  thousand  of  free 
dom's  volunteers  to  spring  spontaneously  upon  their 
feet,  when  the  first  blood  fell  on  the  valley  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  It  was  the  same  spirit  which  actuated  the 
heroes  of  1812,  to  vindicate  "Free  trade  and  sailors' 
rights,"  and  maintain  the  "  freedom  of  the  seas."  It 
was  the  identical  glorious  impulse  that  nerved  the 


20 

mighty  arms  and  stimulated  the  indomitable  hearts 
of  the  American  revolution.  It  was  the  soul  stirring 
call  of  country!  That  country  for  which  VAN 
OLINDA  died,  induced  him  to  offer  his  life  a  willing 
sacrifice  for  the  preservation  of  its  honor,  which  he 
so  highly  prized. 

He  passed  through  many  a  conflict,  in  cutting  his 
pathway  from  the  castle  of  Ulloa  to  the  capital. 
After  having  bravely  driven  the  enemy  before  him 
from  the  gulf  to  the  gates  of  the  great  city,  Captain 
VAN  OLINDA  fell  in  advance  of  his  company,  whilst 
in  the  meritorious  and  daring  act  of  scaling  the 
breast  works  of  Chapultepec.  He  fell  on  the  me 
morable  13th  of  September,  1847,  in  the  29th  year 
of  his  age.  He  fell  on  that  field  of  carnage,  immor 
tality  and  fame,  where  so  many  other  gallant  and 
devoted  sons  of  New  York  were  also  sent  to  their 
last,  their  final  account !  Loud  amid  the  din  of  bat 
tle,  and  the  roar  of  musketry,  was  heard  his  heroic 
voice,  encouraging  his  men  to  victory  —  ordering 
them  to  grapple  with  the  foe,  and  persuading  them 
to  remember  the  day  and  their  country.  But  the 
moment  the  victorious  prize  was  within  his  grasp, 
a  mortal  blow  struck  him  to  the  earth ! 

In  giving  the  official  report  of  this  great  battle, 
Brig.  Gen.  QUITMAN  incorporates  these  sentences: 

"  At  the  base  of  the  hill,  constituting  $  part  of  the  works  of  the  for 
tress  of  Chapultepec,  and  directly  across  our  line  of  advance,  were  the 
strong  batteries  before  described,  flanked  on  the  right  by  some  strong 
buildings,  and  by  a  heavy  stone  wall  about  fifteen  feet  high,  which  ex 
tended  around  the  base  of  the  hill  towards  the  west.  Within  two  hun 
dred  yards  of  these  batteries  were  some  dilapidated  buildings,  which 
afforded  a  partial  cover  to  our  advance.  Between  these  and  the  wall  ex- 


21 

tended  a  low  meadow,  the  long  grass  of  which  concealed  a  number  of 
wet  ditches  by  which  it  was  intersected.  To  this  point  the  command, 
partially  screened  ,advanced  by  a  flank,  the  storming  parties  in  front, 
under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  fortress,  the  batteries,  and  breastworks  of  the 
enemy.  The  advance  was  here  halted  under  the  partial  cover  of  the 
ruins,  and  upon  the  arrival  of  the  heads  of  the  South  Carolina  and  New 
York  regiments,  respectively,  Gen.  Shields  was  directed  to  move  them 
obliquely  to  the  left,  across  the  low  ground,  to  the  wall  at  the  base  of  the 
hill.  Encouraged  by  the  gallant  general  who  had  led  them  to  victory  at 
Churubusco,  and  in  spite  of  the  obstacles  which  they  had  to  encounter 
in  wading  through  several  deep  ditches,  exposed  to  a  severe  and  galling 
fire  from  the  enemy,  these  tried  regiments  promptly  executed  the  move 
ment,  and  effected  a  lodgment.  In  directing  the  advance,  Brig.  Gen. 
Shields  was  severely  wounded  in  the  arm.  No  persuasions,  however, 
could  induce  that  officer  to  leave  his  command,  or  quit  the  field.  *  *  The 
brave  Captain  Van  Olinda,  of  the  New  York  regiment,  was  killed  at  the 
head  of  his  company.  Lieut.  Col.  Baxter,  of  the  same  regiment,  a  valua 
ble  and  esteemed  officer,  while  gallantly  leading  his  command,  fell,  mor 
tally  wounded,  near  the  wall.  *  *  The  gallant  New  York  regiment  claims 
for  their  standard  the  honor  of  being  the  first  waved  from  the  battlements 
of  Chapultepec.  The  veteran  Mexican  General,  Bravo,  with  a  number 
of  officers  and  men,  were  taken  prisoners  in  the  castle.  They  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Lieut.  Chas  Brower,  of  the  New  York  regiment,  who  report 
ed  them  to  me." 

Although  we  are  gratified  with  this  opportunity 
of  being  permitted  to  deposit  with  our  own  hands, 
these  remains  in  the  "  narrow  house,"  still  we 
greatly  sorrow,  that  the  relics  of  our  own  brave  and 
undaunted  KEARNEY,  are  not  also  committed  to  our 
care,, for  solemn  funeral  interment,  beside  the  dust 
of  her  who  was  his  comrade  and  partner  in  life. 
But  he  sleeps  far  away  in  his  rude,  lonely  and  soli 
tary  grave.  His  weeping  comrades  — 

"  Sadly  and  quickly  they  laid  him  down 
On  the  field  of  his  fame  fresh  and  gory; 
They  carved  not  a  line,  they  rais'd  not  a  stone, 
But  left  him  alone  in  his  glory." 

It  is  an  ancient  and  sacred  custom  to  rescue  from 
foreign  lands  the  remains  of  gallant  heroes  slain  in 


22 

general  combat.  To  know  that  their  graves  will 
not  be  trodden  by  foreign  feet,  or  their  bones  left  to 
whiten  the  battle  fields  in  an  enemy's  country,  is  a 
reflection  most  consoling.  To  know  that  they  are 
preserved,  and  interred  in  their  own  country,  in  the 
midst  of  their  relatives  and  friends  who  have  gone 
before  them,  and  in  the  spot  which  is  held  sacred 
for  such  holy  purposes;  and  that  their  graves  are 
watered  with  the  tears  of  affection,  and  the  green 
sward  decorated  with  the  primrose,  the  laurel  and 
cypress,  are  matters  of  endearing  happiness  and 
consolation.  It  assuages  the  grief  occasioned  by 
such  a  death,  to  know  that  all  there  is  left,  is  reli 
giously  deposited  beside  those  members  of  the  same 
family  who  have  previously  departed  into  eternity- — 
side  by  side  to  repose,  as  in  life  they  had  together 
commingled.  A  cenotaph  erected  here,  would  have 
been  a  poor  consolation,  if  Captain  VAN  OLINDA'S 
remains  had  been  interred  upon  the  spot  where  he 
fell  —  three  thousand  miles  from  his  home. 

The  gratifying  intelligence  has  this  morning 
reached  Albany,  that  company  H,  (Van  Olinda's,) 
arrived  at  New  Orleans  on  the  26th  of  last  month. 
They  may  therefore  soon  be  expected  amongst  us. 

As  an.  act  of  justice  to  those  brave  spirits  who 
have  yielded  their  lives  in  defence  of  the  nation's 
honor,  and  as  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  their  surviv 
ing  widows  and  children,  a  bill  was  introduced  in 
Congress,  by  Senator  Dix,  of  this  state,  allowing 
annuities  to  be  granted  to  such  survivors;  and  I  am 
extremely  gratified  in  being  able  to  announce  here 


23 

to-day,  that  the  bill  finally  passed  the  House  of 
Representatives,  on  the  day  before  yesterday,  and  is 
undoubtedly  now  a  law.  The  application  is  based 
upon  a  memorial,  signed  by  most  of  the  officers 
under  Gen.  SCOTT,  when  at  Puebla,  the  day  previous 
to  their  marching  towards  the  capital. 

The  gratitude  of  the  nation  will  undoubtedly  be 
extended  to  the  families  of  those  who  so  imploring 
ly  and  deservedly  petitioned.  When  a  soldier  nobly 
falls  in  battle,  a  nation  mourns  his  fate,  and  should 
adopt  his  children.  No  hero  will  be  permitted  to 
die  obscurely  and  be  forgotten.  Although  the  heart 
rending  intelligence  may  arrive,  that  a  husband  or 
a  father's  blood  has  been  poured  out  upon  the  crim 
soned  valleys  of  Mexico,  yet  there  is  something  of 
consolation  in  the  thought,  that  their  country  has 
provided  a  life  insurance  for  the  benefit  of  the  dis 
consolate  widow  and  unconscious  orphan.  A  law 
of  Congress  of  such  a  meritorious  character,  will 
be  hailed  with  approbation,  by  every  American 
citizen. 

RELATIVES  AND  FRIENDS  OF  THE  DEPARTED  CAPTAIN  — 
I  feel,  and  fully  realize,  how  incompetent  I  have 
been  to  accomplish  the  task  which  I  was  invited  to 
undertake.  It  were  better  to  have  assigned  this 
melancholy  duty  to  the  care  of  abler  hands.  But 
no  human  being,  however  gifted,  could  be  so  elo 
quent  as  the  occasion  itself;  and  I  have  felt,  as  I 
have  heard  my  own  voice  echo  here,  that  it  was  an 
intrusion  on  your  thoughts  too  sacred  to  be  disturbed. 
Let  the  heart  of  this  great  assembly  speak  —  let  it 


24 

make  its  silent  but  impressive  offering  to  the  memory 
of  the  honored  dead.  This  is  no  time  for  the  living 
to  address  you.  The  dead  officer  is  speaking!  He 
is  holding  communion  with  your  thoughts!  and 
long  after  my  poor  voice  is  stilled  in  death,  and  your 
animated  forms  are  mouldering  into  dust,  and  the 
mournful  moss  accumulating  upon  our  tombs,  his 
noble  example  of  patriotism  and  valor,  will  be 
speaking  to  our  children's  children,  through  the 
brilliant  page  of  history,  or  from  the  sculptured 
monument,  animating  them  to  emulating  deeds 
of  glory  and  renown. 

Let  these  remains  be  consigned  to  the  green  earth, 
In  some  pleasant,  rural,  quiet  residence  of  the  dead, 
where  the  solitude  of  great  Nature  exists,  and  where 
she  herself  holds  converse  and  communion  with  the 
bright  orbs  of  morning,  noon  and  night.  Let  the 
spot  be  sacred  in  which  these  precious  relics  shall 
be  deposited  —  hallowed  be  the  place  where  they 
shall  rest.  Let  the  melancholy  requiem  be  reve 
rently  chaunted  o'er  his  honored  grave.  Let  it  be 
consecrated  by  the  tears  and  affections  of  this  whole 
community,  and  the  sleep  of  the  warrior  citizen  be 
sacred,  until  time  shall  be  dissolved  into  eternity  — 
until  the  bright  morning  of  the  final  resurrection, 
when  the  loud  blast  of  the  last  trumpet  shall  call 
the  millions  of  every  nation  to  their  inevitable,  ever 
lasting  judgment.  Let  him, 

"  Peaceful,  sleep  out  tlie  Sabbath  of  the  tomb, 
And  wake  to  raptures  in  the  life  to  come." 


